Who This Applies To

This guidance is intended for:

• Rail enthusiasts and steam locomotive fans who wish to ride or photograph the special SL Taiki "Hantsu" service on June 27 (Saturday) or June 28 (Sunday), 2026.
• Travelers interested in the Nikko–Aizu sightseeing corridor who want to experience a historically significant railway event along the former JNR Aizu Line.
• Anyone planning to attend the Aizu-Tajima Station Marché or related on-board hospitality events during the special operation days.
• Tour operators and travel agents coordinating group bookings through JR East View Travel & Sales or Club Tourism.

If you are simply looking for regular Tobu Railway or JR East timetable information, this article does not cover standard services. The details below apply exclusively to the two-day special operation.

Overview: A Historic Railway Event

On June 27 and 28, 2026, the SL Taiki steam locomotive will make its first-ever visit to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, operated jointly by Tobu Railway, Tobu Railway, Aizu Railway, and JR East (Tohoku Division). The service is organized under the SL Taiki Tourism Train Promotion Council ("SL大樹等観光列車運行推進協議会"), which was established in November 2024 by Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu Town, and Tobu Railway.

The significance of this event is considerable: operating a steam locomotive on the section between Aizu-Tajima and Nishi-Wakamatsu (now part of the JR East Tadami Line and Aizu Railway Aizu Line) has not occurred since 1974 — a span of 52 years.

The special train is named "Hantsu" (土津), derived from the Hatsu Shrine (土津神社) located in Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture. The shrine is dedicated to Masayuki Hoshina (保科正之), the first lord of the Aizu domain. The name combines the character for "earth" (土), representing the fundamental element in the five-element philosophy, with "tsu" (津), meaning "domain lord" — together signifying "the lord of Aizu who mastered the principles of all things."

This special operation is part of broader efforts to establish a Nikko–Aizu sightseeing loop route and to contribute to regional revitalization through the Fukushima Destination Campaign.

Steps: How to Participate in the SL Taiki "Hantsu" Special Run

Step 1: Choose Your Direction and Date

The service runs in one direction each day. Decide whether you want to travel from Nikko toward Aizu or from Aizu toward Nikko.

Step 2: Review the Detailed Timetable

The source notice provides exact arrival and departure times at each stop. Note that intermediate stops allow passengers to disembark during station dwell times.

June 27 (Saturday) — Outbound: Shim-Imaichi → Aizu-Wakamatsu

June 28 (Sunday) — Return: Aizu-Wakamatsu → Shim-Imaichi

Step 3: Book Through an Authorized Tour Package

Important: The source notice states that boarding the SL Taiki "Hantsu" requires a reservation through one of the following authorized tour operators. Individual tickets are not being sold separately; all rides are packaged as tour products.

• JR East View Travel & Sales (びゅうツーリズム＆セールス) — Details to be announced on their website.
• Club Tourism (クラブツーリズム) — Details to be announced on their website.

For the Aizu-Tajima Station photography event, contact Tobu Top Tours (東武トップツアーズ), Tobu Nikko Station Tourist Center directly.

The source notice did not specify exact fares or package pricing at the time of publication (May 15, 2026). The notice indicates that details will be published on the respective operator websites once prepared.

Step 4: Confirm Your Itinerary and Meeting Points

Since this is a packaged tour, confirm departure points, boarding procedures, and any pre-departure arrangements directly with the tour operator through whom you booked. The source notice did not specify detailed boarding procedures beyond the tour package requirement.

Train Composition

The SL Taiki "Hantsu" will operate with a 6-car consist, but the order of cars changes depending on the section:

A diesel locomotive assists the steam locomotive on certain sections. Between Shim-Imaichi and Aizu-Tajima, the DL leads; between Aizu-Tajima and Aizu-Wakamatsu, the SL leads with the DL at the rear. This arrangement accounts for operational requirements on the different rail sections.

Limits and Exceptions

Please be aware of the following limitations as stated in the official source notice:

• Tour package only: There is no option to purchase individual boarding tickets. All passengers must book through JR East View Travel & Sales or Club Tourism tour products. The source notice did not mention any alternative booking method.
• Limited dates: The special service operates on only two days — June 27 (Saturday) and June 28 (Sunday), 2026. There are no additional dates announced.
• One-way only each day: June 27 runs outbound (Nikko → Aizu); June 28 runs return (Aizu → Nikko). There is no round-trip option within a single day.
• Photography event requires separate booking: The Aizu-Tajima Station photography event is organized through Tobu Top Tours, not through the JR East or Club Tourism booking channels.
• Restricted areas at Aizu-Tajima Station: On the event days, certain areas within Aizu-Tajima Station will be restricted. Access may be limited.
• Potential entry restrictions at stations: Depending on crowd conditions at each stop, station entry restrictions may be imposed. The source notice did not specify thresholds or details.
• Event changes or cancellation: In the event of transport disruptions or other unforeseen circumstances, event content may be modified or canceled.
• Images are illustrative only: The source notice states that all images provided are conceptual.
• Fare information not yet available: At the time of the May 15, 2026 announcement, tour pricing had not been published. Check the tour operator websites for updates.

What Travelers Should Prepare

Based on details provided in the source notice, here are the practical items and preparations to consider:

• Advance tour reservation: Since boarding is tour-only, securing your spot early through the authorized operators is essential. Popular steam locomotive events in Japan frequently sell out quickly.
• Camera and photography gear: If you wish to photograph the SL at intermediate stations, especially during the Aizu-Tajima Station photography event (booked separately via Tobu Top Tours), bring appropriate equipment.
• Comfortable clothing for a full-day excursion: The outbound journey on June 27 departs at 9:33 and arrives at 16:53 — over 7 hours including station stops. The return on June 28 departs at 9:30 and arrives at 17:19 — nearly 8 hours. Dress accordingly for long platform waits during dwell times.
• Cash for the Aizu-Tajima Marché: On both June 27 and 28, a marchet (market event) will be held at Aizu-Tajima Station Plaza from 10:00 to 15:00, featuring kitchen cars, local specialty products (including local sake and tomatoes from Minamiaizu Town), railway company PR booths, and more. The source notice did not specify whether card payments will be accepted at all stalls.
• Identification and booking confirmation: Tour operators typically require ID matching the reservation name. Have your booking confirmation ready on the day of travel.

On-Board Events and Hospitality

The source notice indicates that on-board events will be provided during both days of operation. Activities are designed to introduce passengers to the history, nature, and culture of the areas along the Aizu Nishi Kaido (Western Route). Planned content includes:

• Local hospitality from community members, including in-train announcements and product distribution.
• Welcome and send-off activities at each stop.
• Distribution of a travel booklet ("Tabi no Shiori").
• In-train announcements introducing Aizu cultural spots, with a "Discover Aizu Spirit" spot introduction card.
• Distribution of local sake on board (subject to availability; the source notice did not specify age restrictions or quantities).

On the platform at stops, passengers can expect local greetings and community engagement. The source did not provide a detailed hour-by-hour event program beyond the above categories.

Aizu-Tajima Station Marché (Market Event)

Alongside the train service, a community marchet will be held at Aizu-Tajima Station Plaza on both operation days:

Mascot Characters (June 27 Only)

The following mascot characters are scheduled to appear on June 27: Akabeh (Aizu-Wakamatsu City), Shimogoro (Shimogo Town), Nandabeh (Minamiaizu Town), and Nikko Kamen (Nikko City). The source notice states these appearances are planned for June 27 only.

The Marché is open to the general public and does not require a train ticket to attend. This makes it an option for those who cannot secure a tour reservation but still want to experience part of the event atmosphere.

Background: About the SL Taiki

The SL Taiki is a regularly scheduled steam locomotive service operating between Shim-Imaichi Station, Tobu Nikko Station, and Kinugawa Onsen Station since 2017. It is operated by Tobu Railway and uses a genuine coal-fired steam locomotive — a fully operational, dynamically preserved heritage locomotive that burns actual coal and water.

The SL Taiki serves three stated purposes according to the source notice:

1. Tourism promotion for the Nikko and Kinugawa regions.
2. Railway heritage preservation — maintaining and operating working steam locomotive technology for future generations.
3. Tohoku reconstruction support — contributing to the broader recovery of the Tohoku region, with the SL Taiki serving as a symbolic presence of continued support.

The regular SL Taiki service operates daily between Shim-Imaichi and the Nikko/Kinugawa area. For information on the standard service, refer to our Tobu Railway route guide or Shim-Imaichi Station guide.

About the SL Taiki Tourism Train Promotion Council

The SL Taiki Tourism Train Promotion Council was established in November 2024 by Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu Town, and Tobu Railway. Its objective is to leverage Tobu Railway's tourism trains (including SL Taiki and DL Taiki) to promote sightseeing along the historical Aizu Nishi Kaido (Western Route) connecting Nikko and Aizu, thereby stimulating regional economic activity and long-term tourism development.

About the Fukushima Destination Campaign

The Fukushima Destination Campaign is a JR Group initiative running from April 1 to June 30, 2026, involving JR Group companies, prefectural and municipal governments, and local tourism operators to promote the attractions of Fukushima Prefecture. The SL Taiki "Hantsu" special run is part of this broader campaign. More information is available at the Fukushima Destination Campaign website.

Getting to Shim-Imaichi and Aizu-Wakamatsu Stations

Shim-Imaichi Station

Shim-Imaichi Station is on the Tobu Kinugawa Line in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. It is accessible from Tobu Nikko Station (approximately 5 minutes by local train) or from Asakusa Station in Tokyo via the Tobu Skytree Line (limited express, approximately 2 hours). If you are joining the outbound service on June 27, plan to arrive well before the 9:33 departure.

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station is served by JR East's Ban'etsu West Line (磐越西線) and is a major gateway to the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture. It can be reached from Koriyama Station (approximately 1 hour by local train) or from Aizu-Tajima Station on the Aizu Railway (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes). For those joining the return service on June 28, plan to arrive before the 9:30 departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I buy a regular ticket to board the SL Taiki "Hantsu"?

No. The source notice is clear that boarding the special SL Taiki "Hantsu" service requires a reservation through a tour package sold by either JR East View Travel & Sales or Club Tourism. Individual tickets are not available for purchase separately.

Q2: Why is this event historically significant?

The last time a steam locomotive operated on the section of the former JNR Aizu Line between Aizu-Tajima and Nishi-Wakamatsu (now part of the Tadami Line and Aizu Railway) was in 1974. The 2026 special run marks the first such operation in 52 years, making it a rare opportunity to witness steam heritage on this route.

Q3: Can I attend the Aizu-Tajima Marché without a train ticket?

Yes. The Marché at Aizu-Tajima Station Plaza is open to the general public on June 27 and 28, from 10:00 to 15:00. No train reservation is needed to visit the market.

Q4: What is the meaning of the name "Hantsu" (土津)?

"Hantsu" comes from Hatsu Shrine (土津神社) in Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture. It is the divine name (shingō) of Masayuki Hoshina, the first lord of the Aizu domain. The name combines "do" (土, earth — the fundamental element in five-element philosophy) and "tsu" (津, meaning domain lord), signifying "the lord of Aizu who mastered the principles of all things."

Q5: Will the steam locomotive pull the train the entire way?

No. The source notice specifies that between Shim-Imaichi and Aizu-Tajima, a diesel locomotive (DL) hauls the train with the SL attached. The SL operates under its own steam only on the section between Aizu-Tajima and Aizu-Wakamatsu (and in reverse on the return day). On the Shim-Imaichi to Aizu-Tajima section, the DL is positioned at the front; on the Aizu-Tajima to Aizu-Wakamatsu section, the SL leads with the DL at the rear.

Official Source

Conclusion

The SL Taiki "Hantsu" special run on June 27–28, 2026 represents a rare convergence of railway heritage and regional cooperation. For the first time in over half a century, a steam locomotive will traverse the former JNR Aizu Line between Aizu-Tajima and Aizu-Wakamatsu — a journey made possible by four railway companies and the SL Taiki Tourism Train Promotion Council.

If you are interested in participating, act promptly: tour reservations through JR East View Travel & Sales or Club Tourism are the only boarding method, and details will be announced on their respective websites. For those who cannot secure a train seat, the Aizu-Tajima Station Marché on both days offers a way to participate in the festivities without a train reservation.

Stay informed by checking the official source PDF linked above, and consult our Aizu-Wakamatsu Station guide and Aizu Railway route information for general access details to the Aizu region.